It has been a sad day in the city of Hull.
Firstly two-time Challenge Cup winner Mark Crane who played for both Hull FC and Hull KR passed away and sadly Hull KR have confirmed that Asuquo ‘Zook’ Ema has passed away at the age of 58.
Born of Nigerian and English parents, Ema spent his early years in Nigeria as the country was gripped by civil war. After his father’s death he and his mother returned to East Yorkshire where she had met his father at the University of Hull.
After impressing at his school side, Ema made his way through the ranks at Hull KR through the Colts and the A Team to debut in the 1983/84 season.
Ema would go onto be a top prop at Hull KR playing in their 1986 cup final defeat to Castleford at Wembley. That disappointment was balanced out by a league title win and the Yorkshire Cup and League Cup amongst his 233 games for the Robins in which he scored 18 tries.
At the age of 28 he retired from rugby to prioritise his work as a fireman and gave 30 years of service.
Sadly, in November 2021 the club announced he had been diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma and he today lost his battle with cancer.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
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